Syndicate: Exploding Media Symposium

[micz flor <micz@yourserver.co.uk>]

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             E X P L O D I N G   M E D I A

             29/08/98 - Salford University
             http://www.yourserver.co.uk/em

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CONTENT:
> EXPLODING MEDIA
> PROGRAMME & PARTICIPANTS
> PAYMENT / ENTRY / INFORMATION
> BURSARIES

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     ----===> EXPLODING MEDIA <===----

There is an explosion of media; desktop and on-line 
publishing have become a common place, digital media 
production and broadcasting have lead to a multiplication of 
'channels' and the quality of consumer electronics rival 
high-tech equipment.

The increase of independent, subcultural and grassroots 
media as well as multi-media cross-fertilisation has 
recently been formulated as a hybridisation of the 
mediascape. Coincidentally, the term hybridity has gained 
currency within post-colonial cultural and political 
debates. When talking about hybridity, a deviation from a 
pure origin is implied. And hybridity always points back to 
its points of origin. Does the explosion of media really 
just come down to an extension of a media mono-culture or 
does this fresh harvest challenge its domination?

The issues at stake in an expanding mediascape are 
inevitably multiple. Does such a diversification destabilise 
or add to the culture of simulation? Does representation 
become more or less diverse? Is there a font for everything? 
By taking hold of media, do marginal groups develop 
complicity with mainstream power, or tools for social and 
political leverage? Do the moguls remain unshaken when 
assimilating the shaky cameras of subculture? Are alliances 
between marginalised groups developed or dissolved? Does a 
multiplicity of media promote direct democracy or develop 
into a structurless chaos, or even organise a new culture of 
conformity?

exploding media will dismantle the oldest stencil for 
communication. Organised into three corresponding panels, 
the symposium will explode the sender, explode the signal, 
and explode the receiver.

EXPLODING SENDER:
The manufacture of content is undergoing a parallel 
expansion - across previously untapped territories and into 
nooks and niches of minute market segments. In an 
environment of merging multi-nationals, does niche 
specialisation create the illusion of choice within the 
themed mega-mall of mainstream culture?

EXPLODING SIGNAL:
We have a new set of axioms: There is no pure signal, no 
objective truth, no neutral context, and communication is 
always an interactive activity. What has become of the 
relationship between medium and message in a many-too-many 
media environment?

EXPLODING RECEIVER:
In a culture of hobbyists and 'independent' media 
practitioners, not to mention a highly developed media 
literacy, is it possible (if it ever were) to talk of the 
category 'media receivers'? Do networked and community media 
create a shift in the understanding of the 'audience'?

exploding media has been organised by Josephine Berry, Micz 
Flor and Robin Hamman


     ----===> PROGRAMME & PARTICIPANTS <===----

Saturday. 29.08.98
Salford University (address see below)

09:15. registration/refreshments
09:45. introduction

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10:00. exploding SENDER
       brief introductions by speakers,
       followed by panel debate. (chair:Robin Hamman)
Ricardo Dominguez is senior editor of The Thing, New York
       (a critical community server) and a member of the
       Digital Zapatismo Network. <www.thing.net/~rdom>
Kodow Eshun is a music critic, writer and print editor of 
       i-D magazine, He has recently published his first 
       book More Brilliant Than The Sun.
Armin Medosch is editor of the net culture magazine 
       Telepolis and co-organiser of the symposium Art 
       Servers Unlimited. <www.heise.de/tp>
Terry Ventham is a director of Lakeside Distribution, a 
       company specialised in the distribution of 
       independent and niche market magazines.
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12:00. break/lunch
       opportunity to view a selection of related
       websites and publications.

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13.00. exploding SIGNAL
       brief introductions by speakers,
       followed by panel debate. (chair:Micz Flor)
Shirin Housee is the lecturer in Sociology and Applied 
       Social Studies at the University of Wolverhampton, 
       and has published extensively on Media 
       Imperialism. <www.wlv.ac.uk/shass/housee.html>
Geert Lovink is a media theorist and member of Adilkno, 
       the Foundation for Advancement of Illegal 
       Knowledge, co-founder of the Digital City 
       Amsterdam and the mailing list nettime. 
       <www.desk.nl/nettime>
Angela McRobbie is head of the Media Communications 
       Department at Goldsmiths University.
Sanjay Sharma is lecturer of Media Studies at 
       Staffordshire University.
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15.00. break/tea

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15.30. exploding RECEIVER
       brief introductions by speakers,
       followed by panel debate. (chair:Josephine Berry)
Backspace (Gio D'Angelo) is a London based organisation 
       offering web access and support, both commercially 
       and independently to members of the local 
       community. <www.backspace.org>
Pauline van Mourik Broekman and Simon Worthington are 
       editors of the independent technology and culture 
       magazine mute. <www.metamute.com>
Tim Read is part of the team operating the net.radio 
       project Gaialive. <www.gaialive.co.uk>
DeeDee Halleck is a lecturer and co-founder of DeepDish 
       TV. <www.igc.apc.org/deepdish>
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17.30. finish

In the evening, Revolting will give guests and participants 
the chance to continue the debate whilst chilling out at the 
temporary media lab, 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE, 
<www.yourserver.co.uk/revolting>


     ----===> PAYMENT / ENTRY / INFORMATION <===----

To either book your place at exploding media or to receive 
the conference programme please complete and return the form 
below. Alternatively you can email: 
J.Charlton@time.salford.ac.uk (Jo Charlton)

[Due to the impossibility for many community initiatives to 
afford the entry fee for the ISEA98 symposium in Manchester 
/ Liverpool, we maintain the right to reserve a number of 
places for local media activists, artists, community 
workers]

If you pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to 
"University of Salford" - and send the the below address.

Please invoice

Company......................

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Address

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Your official order number

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Symposium Fee   £ 15
Concessions     £ 10

Postal address:
   exploding media
   Department of Design and Creative Technology,
   University of Salford,
   Centenary Building,
   Peru Street,
   Salford, M3 6EQ 

   Tel   : +44.161.295.6157
   Fax   : +44.161.295.6180
   Email : J.Charlton@time.salford.ac.uk (Jo Charlton)
   URL   : http://www..yourserver.co.uk/em


     ----===> BURSARIES <===----

Community artists and initiatives based in the North-West 
region can apply for a limited number of bursaries from the 
North West Arts Board. Please send this Entry Form completed 
with an accompanying letter to:
   North West Arts Board
   Visual Arts & Media Officer: Access and Education
   Manchester House
   22 Bridge Street
   Manchester M3 3AB

Micz Flor [micz@yourserver.co.uk]

                           http://www.yourserver.co.uk/crashmedia
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